Bikestorage Blog

No matter your age or current fitness level, getting on a bike is good for you. The benefits of cycling can be felt by all. And it’s something more and more people are noticing, as the popularity of cycling has soared in recent years. People are cycling to work; they’re cycling for fitness and leisure; families are spending time together on their bikes. Thousands have caught the bug.

Whether cyclists have been spurred on by the successes of UK cycling teams in recent years or their own fitness goals, getting on your bike and pedalling does wonders for your health and wellbeing. The following should you give you plenty of motivation to start cycling.

Cycling is low impact - and enjoyable - exercise

Unlike activities like running, cycling isn’t weight bearing. The chance of suffering muscle damage or general inflammation is much lower, because you don’t put as much stress on key joints – particularly ankles, knees, hips and your back. If you’ve ever suffered an injury or struggle with joint problems, cycling is an excellent way to get back into exercise.

If you’re a fitness fanatic, rest assured that low impact doesn’t mean low intensity. You can still get a decent workout in when cycling. Concentrate on raising your heart rate and challenging your limits. You can intensify a cycling session by:

Upping the incline – taking on those big hills

Adding resistance – move the gears up

Increasing the time or distance

When cycling, you can protect your joints and push yourself, making the workout as intense as you want. What’s more, much of modern-day exercise focuses on dedicating part of your daily routine to it. You’ve got to drag yourself to the gym and get motivated.

Cycling is different. It fits into your day, and is genuinely enjoyable. It doesn’t feel like exercise. Instead, it’s fun to get out in the fresh air and pick up the pace.

Cycling has loads of health benefits

It’s not just about the more obvious health benefits – weight loss and improved cardiovascular fitness levels – but the longer-term effects of cycling. Better lung health, an improved immune system, a reduced risk of heart disease and cancer; without a doubt, cycling is great for your health. There are loads of reports, studies and surveys citing just how good cycling is for us. Here are some highlights:

Being active means you’re less likely to develop high blood pressure

Cycling builds muscle and bone density

Your body fat levels will decrease

Improved posture and coordination

Regular cycling contributes to the prevention of disease

Cycling is an aerobic activity – your heart, blood vessels and lungs are all getting a valuable workout. Within no time, your fitness levels will improve. And over the longer term, you can expect to feel healthier and generally better – just ask anyone who already cycles regularly. They’ll confirm it.

It's also great for your mental wellbeing

Not everyone cycles for their fitness. In fact, more people find it helps their mental health – regardless of the reasons why they get on their bike in the first place. In Cycling UK’s Rides of Way survey of almost 11,500 cyclists, 91% said cycling was fairly or very important for their mental health.

On the surface, it’s easy to understand why riding a bike is relaxing. The fresh air and freedom to go where you want offer a welcome relief from a stressful day. Whether it’s just a bad day in the office or on-going issues, cycling can release tension and help you maintain balance in your life. But what’s going on underneath? How does cycling benefit your mental health?

Well, two key hormones are involved with cycling – cortisol, the stress hormone, is reduced and endorphins, feel-good hormones, are released. Cortisol is the hormone your body releases when facing stress. A certain amount is healthy, as cortisol helps your body perform in times of crisis.

But it also increases heart rate, blood pressure and respiration, as well as causing muscle tension, so too much isn’t good for you. Luckily, cycling reduces cortisol and has a relaxing effect on your mental state.

Any aerobic exercise also releases endorphins, which you might have heard referred to as ‘runner’s high’. You get the same feeling cycling, and it’s been proven to reduce anxiety and make you happier.

Cycling can save you money - and the environment

You can integrate cycling into your daily routine by using it as a way of getting from A to B. Whether that’s your daily commute or a weekend trip to the shops, cycling can get you where you need to be – and you’ll still get the other benefits.

Plus, you’re not paying for petrol or public transport. You’re using your own fitness to fuel your journey. In fact, there are many schemes which encourage you to do so. One of the most notable is the UK Government’s Cycle to Work scheme, an initiative which offers huge savings on the cost of a new bike.

Employers buy bicycles, which they hire out to employees through a salary sacrifice. It’s cheaper because the government offers those businesses tax exemptions, so the savings can be passed on to you. You can buy the bike outright at the end of the 12-month hire period. Cyclists’ safety equipment is also offered as a tax-free benefit.

Schemes like this are not only great for you, but they benefit everyone. They reduce city traffic, promote healthier journeys, and reduce environmental pollution. Cycling tends to be quicker than others transport methods, as well as more reliable – not to mention you won’t get stressed driving in traffic. The case quickly builds up.

It improves your sleep

Cycling, although tiring, also has a relaxing effect. In fact, any regular exercise can improve your circadian rhythm – your internal sleep/wake clock which cycles between sleepiness and alertness. It works by reducing stress levels – a common cause of insomnia – and tiring you out. This not only helps you get to sleep, but keeps you asleep for longer.

But it’s important to find the right pattern for you. If you find cycling in the evenings livens you up too much, get on your bike earlier and benefit from the extra energy throughout the day. By the time you go to bed, you’ll feel ready to rest.

Cycling also gives you a break when you’re awake. It helps you stay aware of what’s going on around you – rather than letting your mind wander off. This is often referred to as mindfulness. It can help you re-focus on the present moment instead of getting overwhelmed with racing thoughts.

You'll make friends when cycling

Some days, it’ll be just you and your bike. You might pass a few other cyclists on your route. But cycling can be as social as you like – you can encourage friends to get on their bikes too, join cycling clubs, take part in competitions or join community rides.

Around the UK, there are clubs for all levels. It might seem like a daunting idea turning up at first, but cycling clubs are friendly places. You’ll find a welcoming bunch of cyclists, as well as loads of advice and support from professionals or new enthusiasts. People tend to find some great friends at cycling clubs too.

The Bike Storage Company are pleased to announce the completion of Amazon's Principle Place development. This is the second of Amazon's London offices we have provided storage to, having recently completed works on their Holborn office. Working on behalf of PAD contracts The Bike Storage Company provided 664 cycle spaces through the use of our Semi Vertical& Two Tier Rack.

Working on Vernier Construction's latest commercial development, The Bike Storage Company were contracted to supply a 60 Space Two Tier Chelsea Shelter. The shelter hot dipped galvanised & polyester powdercoated was provided with our industry leading 15 year no rust gurantee.

Not only was the shelter manufactured with 3 weeks to fulfill Vernier's tight completion schedule, our expert in house installation team completed within one single day! We look forward to working with Vernier on their next project.

With a rapid expansion at their Great Swan Alley site, the Bank of England approached The Bike Storage Company to increase their on-site cycle storage. Consulting with the Bank of England cycling group our Premium Gas Assisted Two Tier Rack was selected. With the Bank of England opting for our lightweight aluminium channels on the upper & lower level.

Our Premium Two Tier opperates an intergrated gas lifting mechanism allowing the upper level to be accessed by all, as well as ensuring a tamper proof and long lasting product. So well received were the racks we are already planning the next phase at their Threadneedle site and look forward to completing by the end on 2017.

Cycling has become a national interest. Only a decade ago it was considered a niche hobby, but the success of British riders in the London Olympics and recent Tour de France competitions has spurred on millions of people to get on their bikes. The British cycling team is dominating in competitions around the world with individual and team achievements stacking up, and the public are responding by taking up the sport in their droves.

Whether you measure it by the bikes sold or the number of cyclists on Britain’s roads, the industry is booming. Here are some statistics to prove it:

More than two million people across the country now cycle at least once a week, an all-time high, according to British Cycling

According to the National Travel Survey, about 7% of the population over 5 cycled three or more times a week in 2015

The Bike Storage Company has been working with architect’s PDP London over the past 2 years, consulting on proposed cycle storage and street furniture to meet local authority planning requirements on behalf of Capco to deliver Lillie Square. This 1 million square foot scheme is one of the most high profile residential developments in London, transforming a 7.4 acre car park on Seagrave Road into 808 high-end new homes and outdoor green spaces.

As prestigious projects go they don’t get much better than the McLaren Technology Centre. Following a site visit it was establish our Two Tier Rack was the ideal solution. Our counterbalanced system offered an assisted lifting mechanism without the requirement for excessive maintenance. Increasing cycle storage across the site from 32 to 80 cycle spaces.

Working on the latest phase of developments at Amazon’s Holborn offices. The Bike Storage Company were tasked with providing 200 BREEAM compliant cycle spaces. With space at a premium across several rooms within the site, naturally our Semi Vertical Rack was selected as the most suitable product. With a locking hoop incorporated free of charge, full BREEAM compliance was ensured across this project.

Having been approached recently for the refuse and cycle storage on a housing developers latest East London project; comprising of 90 studio, one and two-bedroom apartments. With such a historical canal-side site, the need for an in keeping cycle/refuse store was never more prevalent. As such our in house design team created a bespoke Amazon Eco Compound, splitting the refuse and cycle storage across two secure areas.

At The Bike Storage Company we have completed yet another prestigious and notable installation, this time at Selfridges Oxford Street. The project comprising of our ever popular Semi Vertical and Two Tier cycle racks. The two most spatially efficient racks within our range. Providing Selfridges with a total of 121 Nr. bike spaces, all of which complete with locking hoop to ensure full BREEAM and Secure by Design compliant.

With experience drawn from a range of high profile projects including Bank of England, London Wall Place, Principal Place and Lillie Square, we are the perfect company if you want exceptional service at an affordable price.

The Bike Storage Company is a specialist provider of commercial bike storage across the UK. We have over 8 years’ worth of industry experience and are supplied by a handful of dedicated and well-established British fabricators.